Crimping apparatus

Abstract

An adjustable and moveable depth stop for locating an item to be crimped in a crimping apparatus of the type with first and second crimping rings that are arranged coaxial with and axially spaced apart from each other along a ring axis, the rings having facing frustoconical surfaces that engage oppositely facing frustoconical surfaces of a plurality of crimping members interpositioned between the rings and substantially circumjacently arranged around the ring axis. One of the rings is moveable toward the other a predetermined distance and the crimping members and depth stop move in the direction of the ring axis and in relation to the moveable ring an amount that is one-half that of the moveable ring.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a crimping apparatus of the type with first and second crimping rings that are arranged coaxial with and axially spaced apart from each other along a ring axis, the rings having facing frustoconical surfaces that engage oppositely facing frustoconical surfaces of a plurality of crimping members interpositioned between the rings and arranged substantially circumjacently around the ring axis and where one ring is stationary and the other ring is reciprocally moveable along the ring axis a distance and the crimping members are moveable in the direction of the ring axis and in relation to the moveable ring an amount one half that of the moveable ring, a ram means for reciprocating the moveable ring along the ring axis, and a depth stop means for locating an item to be crimped by the crimping members, and wherein the improvement comprises; means for positioning the depth stop along the ring axis and in relation to a position of the crimping members along the ring axis and comprising;   means for fixing a spring means between the moveable ring and a stationary portion of the crimping apparatus to elongate the spring means when the moveable ring is displaced toward the stationary ring, the spring means having (1) an axis aligned with the ring axis and (2) a mid-portion located along the length of the spring means with the mid-portion being moveable in the direction of the ring axis an amount one half that of the moveable ring; and   means for fixing an end portion of the depth stop means to the mid-portion of the spring means such that the depth stop means is moveable with the mid-portion of the spring means and in the direction of the ring axis an amount substantially equal one-half the distance of the moveable ring.   
     
     
       2. The crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring means includes a collar interpositioned between ends of two coiled coaxial springs and where the collar defines the mid-portion of the spring means. 
     
     
       3. The crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the depth stop means includes a rod having a longitudinal axis arranged substantially coaxial with the ring axis, a depth stop attached to an end of the rod, an opposite end of the rod positioned in telescoping engagement with a centering tube arranged coaxial with the ring axis, releasable locking means for adjustably securing the rod and centering tube together, and the centering tube attached to the collar whereby the centering tube is moveable with the collar. 
     
     
       4. The crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein portions of the rod and tube are located within the springs. 
     
     
       5. The crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 3 and including means for centering and supporting the centering tube to be coaxially aligned with the ring axis. 
     
     
       6. The crimping means as claimed in claim 5 wherein the centering means includes a plate attached to and moveable with the ram means and having a bore axially aligned with the ring axis and sized to receive and support a first portion of the centering tube, and a tubular depth stop spacer attached to a stationary part of the crimping apparatus and coaxially aligned with the ring axis, the spacer having a bore adapted to receive and support the centering tube.